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(Brussels)—— Guinea July 31, 2024, the court found him guilty GuineaThe landmark trial of former self-proclaimed President Moussa Dadis Camara and seven others for the rape and killing of protesters in 2009 has been finalized, Human Rights Watch said today. The court also decided to reclassify all charges from ordinary crimes to Crimes against humanitybased on Prosecution requestThis is the first prosecution for crimes against humanity in Guinea.
The trial is over a mass attack on peaceful protesters at a stadium in the capital Conakry. First of its kind The judge ruled that the massive human rights violations in Guinea had attracted national attention. Command responsibility Dadis Camara and Tiegboro were sentenced to 20 years in prison, and Toumba to 10 years in prison for crimes against humanity including murder, kidnapping, sexual violence and torture.
“Nearly 15 years after the 2009 stadium massacre, this verdict brings long-awaited justice to the victims and survivors, whose brutal abuses continue to haunt them today,” Tamara AbramadanInternational Justice Adviser at Human Rights Watch. “The verdict sends a clear signal to those responsible for serious crimes in Guinea and elsewhere that justice is possible, and the trial should provide lessons that advance national justice efforts around the world.”
The judges also convicted five others of various crimes against humanity, including murder, sexual violence and torture, and sentenced them to prison terms ranging from 10 years to life. The judges acquitted four people.
The judge also ruled on the claim for damages, awarding between 200 million and 1 billion Guinean francs (approximately US$23,000 and US$115,000). Different groups of victimsincluding those who have suffered physical and psychological trauma.
Lawyer registered with the Guinean Bar Association Decide Boycott all hearings nationwide until July 31 in protest Enforced disappearance Therefore, according to Human Rights Watch monitoring, neither defense lawyers nor lawyers representing the victims were present at the reading of the verdict.
Year 2009 assaultSecurity forces opened fire on peaceful protesters. More than 150 people were killed and dozens were raped. Security forces then cover upThe trial began on September 28, 2022, and lasted nearly two years, during which time the judge heard from more than 100 victims, 11 defendants and more than a dozen witnessinclude Senior government officialsThe convicted man has 15 days to appeal, while prosecutors have two months.
Guinean authorities should step up security measures following the verdict to ensure Safety of victims and witnessesEspecially those who testified at the trial, Possible retaliationHuman Rights Watch said.
this Landmark domestic trial “The lessons of the horrific massacre of 2009 offer important lessons not only for Guinea, but also for other governments seeking to ensure accountability for serious crimes under international law,” Abramadan said. “The responsibility to investigate and prosecute serious crimes lies first and foremost with domestic authorities. National authorities and their international partners must step up their efforts to pursue justice.”
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